Isaiah 21

1. A prophecy about the coastal desert: 1 Like whirlwinds sweeping over the Negev, 1 it comes from the desert, from a fearsome land.

2. A dire vision has been shown to me: 2 the betrayer betrays, and the spoiler spoils. 2 ‘Eilam, advance! Madai, lay siege! 2 I will end all groaning.

3. This is why my insides are racked with pain; 3 I am seized by pangs, like a woman in labor; 3 wrenched by what I hear, 3 aghast at what I see.

4. My mind reels, shuddering assails me. 4 The twilight I longed for terrifies me.

5. They set the table, light the lamps, 5 eat and drink — 5 “Get going, princes! Oil the shields!”

6. For this is what Adonai said to me: 6 “Go, post a watchman to report what he sees!

7. If he sees the cavalry, horsemen in pairs, 7 riders on donkeys, riders on camels, 7 he must be on alert, on full alert!”

8. He calls out like a lion: “My lord, 8 I stand on the watchtower all day long, 8 I stay at my post all night.”

9. Then, as they appeared — the cavalry, 9 horsemen in pairs — he spoke these words: 9 “She has fallen! She has fallen — Bavel! 9 All the carved images of her gods 9 lie shattered on the ground.”

10. My people, who have been threshed, 10 grain trodden down on my threshing-floor: 10 I am telling you what I have heard 10 from Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el.

11. A prophecy about Dumah: 11 Someone is calling to me from Se‘ir: 11 “Watchman, how much longer is it night? 11 Watchman, how much longer is it night?”

12. The watchman answers: 12 “Morning is coming, but also the night. 12 If you want to ask, ask! Come back again!”

13. A prophecy about Arabia: 13 You caravans of D’danim will camp 13 in the desert growth of Arabia.

14. Bring water to the thirsty, you who live in Teima, 14 greet the fugitives with food;

15. because they are fleeing the sword, the drawn sword, 15 the bent bow and the press of battle.

16. For this is what Adonai has told me: “Within a year [and not a day more], as if a hired worker were keeping track of the time, the glory of Kedar will come to an end.

17. Few of Kedar’s valiant archers will be left. ” Adonai the God of Isra’el has spoken.